"Take a good look at the possibilities of other worlds—"
That familiar voice echoed.
—
~ Inside, the Theater ~
"Another worldline again!?"
Otto said.
"Then this time it's… Ram understands."
It was Rem's "live on."
—
[ Natsuki Subaru arrived at a fork in the road, with one path to the left and one to the right.
And Subaru chose…
The right path.
Before choosing, Subaru glanced at Rem's hand, which was hanging to his right.
Perhaps it was for this reason.
He walked step by step to the right, muttering as he walked:
"Kill you… I must kill you… Kill you, kill you, kill you, Petelgeuse, I will definitely kill you…"
Then, he saw a man…
It was Reinhardt, like a blazing inferno.
"I've been looking for you for a long time, Subaru. Thank goodness you're okay. Who is this girl…? Bury her well, please. Anyway, you look quite injured too, you should get treated quickly."
"Here is fine."
"Eh?"
"Here is fine, Rem said so…" ]
.....
~ Inside, the Theater ~
"Why is Reinhardt here?"
Emilia asked.
Puck was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke:
"He's here… to end me."
"End…?"
"You understand, Lia. In this world, no one stopped the Witch Cult, Lia died there, and I, according to our contract, would destroy the world… And the only one who could stop it was that hero."
After speaking, Puck squinted at Reinhardt.
"…Is that so."
Reinhardt said.
[ "Subaru…" Reinhardt hesitated at Subaru's request.
"Please move aside, Reinhardt. Rem, she's feeling cold…"
"…I understand. I hope you'll let me help too."
The two buried Rem.
The screen darkened.
Then…
"Ahhhhhh!"
"You're charging too recklessly, you need to observe your opponent more. But your swordsmanship has improved quite a bit… What's wrong?"
"—It's not enough. With just this strength, it's not enough to take that guy's life! Reinhardt, one more time! Ahhhhhh!" ]
.....
~ Inside, the Theater ~
"This is the Astrea mansion… my home."
Reinhardt, outside the screen, said.
"Could it be that Reinhardt took in the injured Subaru?"
Emilia said.
"Then… Barusu is honing his swordsmanship for revenge."
Ram said.
"…Subaru-kun."
Rem doesn't want Subaru-kun to avenge her, Rem wants Subaru-kun to live well.
Both Rem thought.
"This appearance… is completely different from before."
Wilhelm said.
When he sparred with him before, Subaru-Dono was more venting his anger and deceiving himself, telling himself "Try harder." But this time was different, he was genuinely, seriously practicing his sword.
And his swordsmanship had clearly improved.
He was just a bit too impatient.
Was it the eagerness for revenge?
And Subaru-Dono's current state. It's not good.
—
[ "Reinhardt… again, again, one more time!"
"You can barely stand anymore. If you continue in this state, you'll only ruin your body."
"What does ruining my body matter! It's no good like this! If it continues like this, I won't even be able to die!"
"…Subaru. I'm not teaching you swordsmanship for you to die. I thought that by doing this with you, I could somewhat restore some of your past cheerfulness. Seeing you in this state, I can't continue teaching you swordsmanship anymore."
"Wh—"
"Subaru… I can't say I understand your grief. But even so. The people who have already died would absolutely not want to see you like this. I hope you can cherish yourself more." ]
.....
~ Inside, the Theater ~
"….."
Wilhelm was silent. He remembered Theresia.
He also knew that his wife would never want him to live only for revenge, but he couldn't do it.
"Yes, that's right. Rem doesn't want Subaru-kun to avenge Rem, to practice sword so hard for Rem… Rem just wants Subaru-kun to live well."
On the other side, Rem hoped Subaru-kun would understand what Reinhardt said, but…
—
[ "What… What kind of joke is this!! You don't want me to become like this? What kind of self-righteous words are those!? You don't know anything and you dare to say that!"
An enraged Subaru punched Reinhardt forcefully.
"…"
Reinhardt neither counterattacked nor dodged, but silently took the blow.
"That's… that's enough!"
Subaru was extremely angry at Reinhardt's words and his decision not to teach him swordsmanship anymore.
"I won't ask for your help again. Because no matter what, we can't understand each other. Thank you very much for saving me."
Subaru turned and left.
The screen darkened. ]
.....
~ Inside, the Theater ~
"Subaru…"
Reinhardt, outside the screen, was silent, trying to understand Subaru.
"Subaru-kun."
Please don't do this anymore, I beg you, Subaru-kun.
"Ah? Is this the Loot House?"
Felt exclaimed in surprise.
"It sounds like my voice."
Old Man Rom said.
—
[ The scene shifted to the Loot House in the slums.
The door to the Loot House was opened.
"…It's been a while. Here."
Old Man Rom handed a cup of milk to the young man… man in front of him.
"—What kind of joke is this?"
The man replied.
"This is perfect for you, isn't it?"
Old Man Rom replied.
"Didn't I say I don't need this kind of thing? Rather than this, what about information on that guy? Even if it's not him, any other Witch Cultist will do. Have you found any clues about him?"
And this man who was talking to Old Man Rom was… ]
.....
~ Inside, the Theater ~
"Subaru!?"
Emilia was extremely surprised.
"Is this Subaru!?"
Beatrice and others were also very surprised.
The Subaru shown in the screen had stubble on his chin, his face looked older and more haggard, the only thing unchanged was his fierce gaze.
"No… no… don't…"
"Beatrice?"
Emilia looked at Beatrice, who had a strong reaction.
"No, I don't want this… Subaru hasn't made any memories with Betty yet, and then…"
Human life is fleeting. Beatrice had always ignored Subaru's age before, but now, a middle-aged Subaru was placed directly before her, forcing her to recall the cruel reality.
Subaru would grow old sooner or later and then die like everyone else.
"These clothes…"
On the other side, Al looked at the clothes Subaru was wearing in the screen, then looked at his own clothes and was stunned.
Why do these look so similar to my clothes?!
"So, this is something that happens many years later?"
Otto said.
"Information on 'That guy' and 'Any other Witch Cultist will do,' it's still Petelgeuse, right? After so many years, you're still thinking of avenging little Rem? Such perseverance, nya."
Felix said.
"It's not worth it, Subaru-kun…"
Rem covered her chest in grief.
It's not worth it.
Love, Subaru-kun, love yourself, live for yourself…
—
[ "Information on the Witch Cult, I haven't gotten any yet."
Old Man Rom said to Subaru in the screen.
"—Really?"
"I didn't lie to you. Rather than this, when are you going to pay back the debt you owe? You should also consider settling down and finding a job."
"I didn't come here to be lectured. If there's no information, I'm leaving."
Subaru opened the door and left the Loot House.
Even after many years, he was still searching for Petelgeuse. ]
....